Iranian President Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi has died in a helicopter crash, state TV announced on Monday. According to the Iranian constitution, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will assume the presidency until a new election can be held. Mokhber is a close ally of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and has previously served as head of Setad, an investment fund linked to the supreme leader.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, along with the country’s foreign minister and several others, were confirmed dead on Monday after their helicopter crashed into a mountainous area in Iran’s northwest, according to state media. Article 131 of Iran’s Constitution dictates that the first vice president assumes temporary presidency in the event of the president’s death during their term, subject to confirmation by the supreme leader. Currently, Mohammad Mokhber holds the position of first vice president. A council comprising the first vice president, the parliament speaker, and the judiciary head must organize a new presidential election within a maximum period of 50 days.
